I am seeing the "free shipping" continues to be offered at Intelligensia post Dec 31. Does this tend to tempt others to order from a company, knowing part of the charm of ordering larger amounts is NOT to pay for shipping. Does the psychology work on you too?

I am seeing the "free shipping" continues to be offered at Intelligensia post Dec 31. Does this tend to tempt others to order from a company, knowing part of the charm of ordering larger amounts is NOT to pay for shipping. Does the psychology work on you too?

In other words, nothing is for free. (I know you are smart enough to know that, just saying.) But I see your marketing point. I am sure it pushes some peoples buy buttons or it wouldn't be used.

eBay went to the free shipping statements on items to make more $$$ for themselves. They changed their commission guidelines a couple years ago and take $$$ on total product cost (product cost + shipping). Before their guideline change they were only taking commission on product cost; sellers would therefore charge very little for a product cost however alot for shipping. With the new guidelines they provide "free shipping" sellers a better ranking on eBay, and also now do not allow buyers to comment on shipping costs. HOWEVER (big however), the total product cost has not changed for a particular item in that sellers on ebay just factor the total cost of item (product cost + shipping cost) into one big product cost and then say "free shipping". The end result = no savings for buyers.

Len

"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674

Skylar, I'm not seeing the free shipping offer at Intelligentsia anymore. Just did a test order on a single bag. In contrast, PT's is offering free shipping all month long. Well, "free" for everyone but Len... ;)

there is no such thing as free. Len is 100% correct. The shipping is just calculated into the cost. Now the seller may choose to absorb the cost of shipping themselves but ask the Post office about free shipping, I think they may give you a different answer.

In real life, my name isWayne P.Anything I post is personal opinion and is only worth as much as anyone else's personal opinion. YMMV!

In business, there are offers that seem advantageous for the customer. However, there’s no one will indulge in business if it is losing. Attracting customer such as buy one take one, free shipping for the customer who order to the quantity they require, or just give free shipping just to compete other rival in business are all strategies.

The Intelligentsia was offering free shipping if you order over $25 but until Dec. 31 only. Of course, they make money out of that short duration.

Did you know...? Dark roast coffees actually have less caffeine than lighter roasts due to the fact that the process of roasting burns off caffeine.www.coffeeloversmag.com/theMagazine

there is no such thing as free. Len is 100% correct. The shipping is just calculated into the cost. Now the seller may choose to absorb the cost of shipping themselves but ask the Post office about free shipping, I think they may give you a different answer.

there is no such thing as free. Len is 100% correct. The shipping is just calculated into the cost. Now the seller may choose to absorb the cost of shipping themselves but ask the Post office about free shipping, I think they may give you a different answer.

I buy green beans quite often from Klatch, and usually only when they have a free shipping offer; normally around most holidays for about a 3 day period, and only for orders over $50. They have good beans and their prices are cheaper than if I buy comparable beans locally from any of 3 or 4 sources as a walk-in customer. They don't raise their prices during those free shipping offers, so you are getting official free shipping. Don't forget, people are buying product daily from them in between these 3 day free shipping offers and these customers are paying whatever the freight is on top of the product, so they are the ones who are subsidizing the free shipping offers by providing Klatch with profit from these everyday purchases.

Credit cards work in a similar way. You can buy a $100 coffee grinder on the first day of your billing cycle if your balance is $0 and be a free rider on that amount for about 45 days. You get the use of the $100 without any interest as long as you pay your account in full on or before the end of the billing cycle. The people who carry a balance on their account are subsidizing your interest free loan for that $100 grinder. If you ever carry a balance on your card, then at that time you'll be paying for what would otherwise be zero interest.

Then you're saying my shipping charges were hidden somewhere in my purchase from Klatch?? The price today for the same beans without a free shipping promo is the same as what I paid on one order from a free shipping weekend in July.

Klatch is an excellent place for green beans, their occasional free shipping weekends only make it better.

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